Surface Finish Analysis of Gradient Voltage Electrochemical Polishing of 316L Stainless Steel Parts Forming by Laser Powder Bed Fusion.

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of complex-structure 316L stainless steel (316L ss) parts has a wide application prospects in aerospace, biomedical, and defense industry fields. However, the surface roughness (Ra) of the LPBF sample is unsatisfactory due to the process characteristics of layer-by-layer selective melting and cumulative forming, which limits its applications in the engineering field. Herein, a gradient voltage electrochemical polishing strategy is proposed based on the characteristics of electrochemical polishing technology, which can polish complex structures. The mechanisms of polishing process parameters and polishing strategy on the surface finish of LPBF parts are investigated. The gradient voltage polishing strategy is extended to complex structures, and the Ra of the inner surfaces of square and round tubes are successfully reduced to about 1 µm. The gradient electrochemical polishing process for surface finish post-treatment of LPBF parts can broaden the engineering applications of complex-structure metal parts.

Using three-dimensional model-based tumour volume change to predict the symptom improvement in patients with renal cell cancer.

In our recent study, we explored the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) measurement of tumor volume in predicting the improvement of quality of life (QoL) in patients suffering from renal cell cancer (RCC), who were treated with axitinib and anti-PD-L1 antibodies. This study encompassed 18 RCC patients, including 10 men and 8 women, with an average age of 56.83 ± 9.94 years. By utilizing 3D Slicer software, we analyzed pre- and post-treatment CT scans to assess changes in tumor volume. Patients' QoL was evaluated through the FKSI-DRS questionnaire. Our findings revealed that 3D models for all patients were successfully created, and there was a moderate agreement between treatment response classifications based on RECIST 1.1 criteria and volumetric analysis (kappa = 0.556, p = 0.001). Notably, nine patients reported a clinically meaningful improvement in QoL following the treatment. Interestingly, the change in tumor volume as indicated by the 3D model showed a higher area under the curve in predicting QoL improvement compared to the change in diameter measured by CT, although this difference was not statistically significant (z = 0.593, p = 0.553). Furthermore, a multivariable analysis identified the change in tumor volume based on the 3D model as an independent predictor of QoL improvement (odds ratio = 1.073, 95% CI 1.002-1.149, p = 0.045).In conclusion, our study suggests that the change in tumor volume measured by a 3D model may be a more effective predictor of symptom improvement in RCC patients than traditional CT-based diameter measurements. This offers a novel approach for assessing treatment response and patient well-being, presenting a significant advancement in the field of RCC treatment.

Revealing the anti-inflammatory ingredients in wine-processed Radix et Rhizoma Rhei using immobilized cysteinyl leukotriene receptor type 1 as the stationary phase.

Despite the tremendous progress of wine-processed Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (Jiudahuang, JDH) in removing toxic heat from the blood in the upper portion of the body for hundreds of years, the deep understanding of its functional material basis of the anti-inflammatory ingredients remains unclear due to the lack of high specific and efficient methods. Herein, taking Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor type 1(CysLT1R) as the target protein, we established a chromatographic method based on the immobilized CysLT1R using haloalkane dehalogenases (Halo) at the C-terminus of the receptor in one step. After careful characterization by X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy, immune-fluorometric analysis, and chromatographic investigations, the immobilized receptor was used to screen the anti-inflammatory ingredients in JDH. Aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion were identified as the main anthraquinone exerting anti-inflammatory effects in the drug. The association constants for the five compounds to bind with the receptor were calculated as (0.30 ± 0.06)× 105, (0.35 ± 0.03)× 105, (0.46 ± 0.05)× 105, (1.05 ± 0.14)× 105, and (1.66 ± 0.17)× 105 M-1 by injection amount-dependent method. Meanwhile, hydrogen bonds were identified as the main driving force for the five compounds to bind with CysLT1R by molecular docking. Based on these results, we believe that the immobilized receptor chromatography preserves historic significance in revealing the functional material basis of the complex matrices.

Copper neurotoxicity: Induction of cognitive dysfunction: A review.

Cognitive dysfunction occurs mainly in certain diseases and in the pathological process of aging. In addition to this, it is also widespread in patients undergoing anesthesia, surgery, and cancer chemotherapy. Neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired synaptic plasticity, and lack of neurotrophic support are involved in copper-induced cognitive dysfunction. In addition, recent studies have found that copper mediates cuproptosis and adversely affects cognitive function. Cuproptosis is a copper-dependent, lipoylated mitochondrial protein-driven, non-apoptotic mode of regulated cell death, which provides us with new avenues for identifying and treating related diseases. However, the exact mechanism by which cuproptosis induces cognitive decline is still unclear, and this has attracted the interest of many researchers. In this paper, we analyzed the pathological mechanisms and therapeutic targets of copper-associated cognitive decline, mainly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric and psychological disorders, and diabetes mellitus.

Genetically predicted plasma levels of amino acids and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease risk: a Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Emerging metabolomics-based studies suggested links between amino acid metabolism and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) risk; however, whether there exists an aetiological role of amino acid metabolism in MAFLD development remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to assess the causal relationship between circulating levels of amino acids and MAFLD risk. METHODS: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using summary-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to evaluate the causal relationship between genetically predicted circulating levels of amino acids and the risk of MAFLD. In the discovery MR analysis, we used data from the largest MAFLD GWAS (8434 cases and 770,180 controls), while in the replication MR analysis, we used data from a GWAS on MAFLD (1483 cases and 17,781 controls) where MAFLD cases were diagnosed using liver biopsy. We used Wald ratios or inverse variance-weighted (IVW) methods in the MR main analysis and weighted median and MR-Egger regression analyses in sensitivity analyses. Furthermore, we performed a conservative MR analysis by restricting genetic instruments to those directly involved in amino acid metabolism pathways. RESULTS: We found that genetically predicted higher alanine (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.13-1.81) and lower glutamine (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.73-0.96) levels were associated with a higher risk of developing MAFLD based on the results from the MR main and conservative analysis. The results from MR sensitivity analyses and complementary analysis using liver proton density fat fraction as a continuous outcome proxying for MAFLD supported the main findings. CONCLUSIONS: Novel causal metabolites related to MAFLD development were uncovered through MR analysis, suggesting future potential for evaluating these metabolites as targets for MAFLD prevention or treatment.

Effects of extracorporeal circulation with different time on platelet count after cardiac surgery: a retrospective study based on medical records.

Our objective was to observe the effects of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) with different time on platelet count in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A total of 427 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under ECC in affiliated hospital of north Sichuan medical college from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2021 were divided into three groups according to ECC time. We concluded that thrombocytopenia was common after ECC, maximum drop of the platelet counts after ECC was usually seen on the second day after ECC, and platelet counts started to recover on the fifth day after ECC. With the extension of ECC time, the drop in platelet counts is more pronounced, the volume of perioperative blood loss and blood products transfusion are more, and the recovery level and speed of platelet counts is lower.

Overexpression of RACGAP1 by E2F1 Promotes Neuroendocrine Differentiation of Prostate Cancer by Stabilizing EZH2 Expression.

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a lethal subtype of prostate cancer. It is characterized by the loss of androgen receptor (AR) signaling in neuroendocrine transdifferentiation, and finally, resistance to AR-targeted therapy. With the application of a new generation of potent AR inhibitors, the incidence of NEPC is gradually increasing. The molecular mechanism of neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains largely unclear. In this study, using NEPC-related genome sequencing database analyses, we screened RACGAP1, a common differentially expressed gene. We investigated RACGAP1 expression in clinical prostate cancer specimens by IHC. Regulated pathways were examined by Western blotting, qRT-PCR, luciferase reporter, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and immunoprecipitation assays. The corresponding function of RACGAP1 in prostate cancer was analyzed by CCK-8 and Transwell assays. The changes of neuroendocrine markers and AR expression in C4-2-R and C4-2B-R cells were detected in vitro. We confirmed that RACGAP1 contributed to NE transdifferentiation of prostate cancer. Patients with high tumor RACGAP1 expression had shorter relapse-free survival time. The expression of RACGAP1 was induced by E2F1. RACGAP1 promoted neuroendocrine transdifferentiation of prostate cancer by stabilizing EZH2 expression in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Moreover, overexpression of RACGAP1 promoted enzalutamide resistance of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells. Our results showed that the upregulation of RACGAP1 by E2F1 increased EZH2 expression, which drove NEPC progression. This study explored the molecular mechanism of NED and may provide novel methods and ideas for targeted therapy of NEPC.

Analysis of the efficacy and risk factors of surgical treatment of recurrent UPJO in adults.

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy of secondary pyeloplasty and balloon dilation and to analyze the risk factors for secondary surgical failure in patients with recurrent uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 65 patients with recurrent UPJO who underwent secondary surgery between September 2011 and March 2019, of whom 33 had complete baseline data and follow-up data. General clinical information, perioperative data, and follow-up results were collected from patients. Risk factors for surgical failure in patients with recurrent UPJO were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The failure rates of secondary pyeloplasty and balloon dilation in secondary surgery were 16.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that ureteral stenosis length and operative time were associated with secondary pyeloplasty and balloon dilatation failure (p < 0.05), and ureteral stenosis length was an independent risk factor for secondary pyeloplasty failure (OR = 0.074, 95% CI: 0.006-0.864, p = 0.038). In the balloon dilation group, treatment failure rates were significantly lower in patients with stenotic segment lengths less than 1 ± 0.32 cm than in patients with stenotic segment lengths greater than 1 ± 0.32 cm (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The secondary pyeloplasty may provide better benefit. Ureteral stricture length is an independent risk factor for failure of secondary pyeloplasty and a potential risk factor for balloon dilatation. Operation time is a potential risk factor for pyeloplasty and balloon dilatation.

Mapping of Global Research on Electronic Cigarettes: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) use has increased rapidly in the past decades and has been widely studied by scholars worldwide, whereas the research topics and development trends in this field are still unclear. This study aimed to explore the landscape of research relating to e-cigarettes. The data outputted from the Web of Science Core Collection database was used for bibliometric analysis. Frequencies and percentages were used to describe the publications' characteristics. Visualizing maps were designed using VOSviewer 1.6.9 and CiteSpace 5.8 R2. Overall, a total of 7,979 records were identified in the database and the number of researches increased rapidly since 2010. All publications involved 19837 authors, with the top ten authors contributing to 8.71% (695) of all documents. The most productive country and institution were the United States of America and the University of California San Francisco, respectively. Nicotine & Tobacco Research was not only the journal with the most published papers but also the most co-cited journal. The main research domains in this field were the prevalence, awareness, reasons for using e-cigarettes; e-cigarettes use for tobacco harm reduction; exposure in the population; and the relationship between e-cigarettes and tobacco and nicotine. E-cigarettes researches have become a popular field for scholars. The hot topics on e-cigarette research were extensive and changed over the past decade.

Association Between E-Cigarettes and Asthma in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Numerous studies have revealed the relationship between E-cigarettes and asthma but have shown inconsistent results. This study systematically evaluated the potential association between E-cigarette use and asthma in adolescents. METHODS: PubMed, Embase (Ovid), Cochrane Library, and the China Biological Medicine Database were searched for relevant articles published between database inception and February 28, 2021. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality assessment, and a quantitative meta-analysis was conducted to pool outcomes of ORs with 95% CIs. RESULTS: A total of 10 cross-sectional studies incorporating a total of 483,948 participants were included. All the study participants were middle- and high-school students with a mean age of 15-16 years. The median prevalence of ever E-cigarette use was 11.2% (range=2.2%, 45%), and that of current use was 7.5% (range=2.7%, 25%). Overall, E-cigarette use was associated with significantly higher odds of having asthma (pooled OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.22, 1.42) than nonuse, and both current use (OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.26, 1.48) and ever use (OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.12, 1.28) showed similar associations. DISCUSSION: This study shows that both current and ever E-cigarette use have significant associations with asthma in adolescents. This knowledge might provide potential evidence for developing primary prevention strategies and serve as a reference for public health policy.

[Diagnosis and treatment of prostatic abscess: Report of 11 cases and review of the literature].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features, imaging characteristics, treatment options and prognosis of prostatic abscess (PA), and provide some new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. METHODS: This retrospective study included 11 cases of confirmed PA treated in the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital. We analyzed the clinical data obtained from the electronic medical records, including basic demographic statistics, risk factors, clinical symptoms, laboratory results, imaging findings, treatment methods, treatment-related complications and outcomes. RESULTS: The 11 patients diagnosed with PA between May 2016 and August 2022 were aged (64.18 ± 7.19) years and all had at least 1 comorbidity, including 5 cases of diabetes mellitus (45.5%) and 8 cases of dysuria (72.8%). PA was confirmed in 3 cases by CT and in 8 cases by MRI, 6 (54.5%) multifocal and 10 (90.9%) >2 cm in diameter, with a median size of 3.84 cm. After admission, positive urine culture was found in 3 cases, positive blood culture in 1, Klebsiella pneumoniae in 2 and Enterococcus Faecalis in 1. Three of the patients were treated by intravenous administration of antibiotics alone, and the other 8 by transurethral PA unroofing in addition. Antibiotics medication lasted for a median of (12.9 ± 3.88) d and hospital stay averaged (19.18 ± 8.20) d. The patients were followed up for 3 months, which revealed the presence of PA in 2 of the cases treated with antibiotics alone, but not in any of the cases treated by surgery. CONCLUSION: PA is relatively rare and has no specific symptoms clinically. Imaging examination is very important for accurate diagnosis, and transurethral PA unroofing plus antibiotics administration could be considered as an optimal management of the disease.

Discovery of bladder cancer biomarkers in paired pre- and postoperative urine samples.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BC), a common cancer of the urinary system, has a low mortality but an extremely high recurrence rate. Patients who have undergone initial surgical treatment often undergo frequent prognostic examinations with a substantial burden of discomfort and costs. Urine samples can reflect early disease processes in the urinary system and may be an excellent source of biomarkers. METHODS: In the present study, we used the liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to perform proteomic analysis of pre- and postoperative urine samples from patients with stage III BC to identify biomarkers of cancer prognosis. Candidate biomarkers from proteomic analysis were simultaneously validated using western blotting in an independent cohort and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, combined with gene expression data of BC samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). RESULTS: The comparison of pre- and postoperative urine samples from the same patients led to the discovery of several significantly differentially expressed proteins, whose functions could be closely related to the occurrence and development of BC. We confirmed a representative group of candidate biomarker molecules, such as cadherin-related family member 2 (CDHR2), heat shock protein beta-1 (HSP27), and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2/B1 (HNRNPA2B1). CONCLUSIONS: The candidate biomarker molecules can distinguish between pre- and postoperative urine samples, and alterations in their expression levels are significantly associated with recurrence rates in patients with BC. Therefore, these molecules may become useful biomarkers for the monitoring and prognosis of BC.

Application of three-dimensional image reconstruction technology based on high-resolution CT in pyeloplasty.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction technology is widely used in surgical operations for its intuitive visualization. Pyeloplasty requiresprecise cutting and suturing. The reconstruction technology can accurately determine the location and scope of the stenosis at the junction of the renal pelvis and ureter and the relationship with the surrounding vasculature. The purpose of this article is to retrospective evaluate the application value of image reconstruction technology in pyeloplasty based on high-resolution 3D CT images. METHODS: A total of 20 patients with renal pelvic ureteral junction obstruction admitted to our hospital from August 2019 to August 2020 were selected. In this group, left pyeloplasty was performed in 8 patients and right pyeloplasty in 12 patients. In terms of conditions, there was 1 case with secondary pyeloplasty, 6 cases of patients with kidney stones, 2 cases with renal ectopic blood vessels, 1 case with renal prolapse, 1 case with horseshoe kidney, and 1 case with ureteral polyps. There were 12 males and 8 females, with an average age of 34.65±10.67 years and an average body mass index (BMI) of 22.48±3.03 kg/m2. In all patients, 3D CT reconstruction technology was used to guide the formulation of robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty plans; verify the consistency between the actual operation and the preoperative planning; and observe the operation time, blood loss, postoperative exhaust time, indwelling drainage tube time, and follow-up for comorbidities. RESULTS: The operation was successful in all 20 patients. The actual operation was 100% consistent with the preoperative planning, the operative time was 160.80±63.26 min, the intraoperative blood loss was 47±30.45 mL, the postoperative exhaust time was 1.15±0.37 days, the drainage tube indwelling time was 4.35±1.50 days, and the average follow-up time was 7.95±3.41 months. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional image reconstruction technology based on high-resolution CT has high clinical application value in the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), which simplifies the operation process and shortens the operation time, and is a valuable tool for auxiliary surgeons in devising the operation plan.

Clinical application and accuracy analysis of 3D printing guide plate based on polylactic acid in mandible reconstruction with fibula flap.

BACKGROUND: Due to the special anatomy morphology and physiological function of the mandible, it has always become a challenge to accurately reconstruct the mandibular defect in maxillofacial surgery. Digital three dimensions (3D) printing surgical guide, as the effective method for individual and accurate surgery, is a hotspot of clinical research at present. In this study, 3D printing PLA surgical guide plate was applied to reconstruct the mandibular defect with fibula flap, its clinical effect and accuracy were evaluated, which aimed to improve the accurate reconstruction of mandibular defects. METHODS: After sterilization, the dimension deformation of the PLA standard specimen were measured. Eighteen patients diagnose with mandibular tumor were collected as observation objects. Then partial mandible resection and simultaneous mandible reconstruction with fibula graft were implemented according to the computer-aided design plan. The clinical effects of 3D printing PLA guide plates application were evaluated by facial contours, occlusal stability and chewing function. Through registering the postoperative computed images reconstruction with preoperative designed shape, the reconstruction accuracy was evaluated by detecting the maximum difference including the distance between lateral convex point of the condyles, the distance between medial convex point of the condyles and the horizontal contained angle between long axis of the condyles. RESULTS: After high temperature steam sterilization, the curvature of the PLA specimen with 100% filling rate and 4.8 mm thickness were the smallest and their dimension deformation had no statistical significance (P>0.05). The minimally deformed 3D printing PLA guide plate were smoothly placed in the right place during the operation. After surgery, the face was symmetrical, the occlusal relationship was restored well and no deviation of the mandibular movement were found. The spiral computed tomography (SCT) scanning showed that the distance between lateral/medial convex points of the condyle and the horizontal contained angle were 128.34±8.68 mm, 88.69±6.75 mm and 145.87°±12.01°. Compared with preoperative design, the maximum deviation of the actual postoperative registration was 1.67±0.63, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The application of 3D printing PLA guide plate in the segmental section and reconstruction of the mandible can effectively simplify the operation, and better reconstruct the continuity of the mandible. The surgical accuracy can fully meet clinical needs with relatively low prices.

Modified Laparoscopic and Robotic Flap Pyeloplasty for Recurrent Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction with a Long Proximal Ureteral Stricture: The "Wishbone" Anastomosis and the "Ureteral Plate" Technique.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to present our modified flap pyeloplasty techniques for recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) with a long proximal ureteral stricture and compare outcomes of laparoscopic and robotic procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2018 and January 2020, 21 patients underwent modified laparoscopic or robotic flap pyeloplasty for recurrent UPJO with a long proximal ureteral stricture. Our surgical modifications included the "wishbone" anastomosis and "ureteral plate" technique. Demographic, perioperative, and follow-up data were recorded and compared retrospectively between the groups. Success was defined as subjective pain alleviation and hydronephrosis improvement. RESULTS: Thirteen modified laparoscopic flap pyeloplasty (mLFP) and 8 modified robotic flap pyeloplasty (mRFP) were performed successfully without conversion. mRFP tended to have shorter overall operative time (142.4 vs. 179.1 min, p = 0.122) and anastomosis time (43.1 vs. 61.0 min, p = 0.093) than mLFP. No difference was found in estimated blood loss (p = 0.723) and pararenal draining time (p = 0.175) between the groups. The mean postoperative hospital stay of mRFP was significantly shorter than that of mLFP (5.0 vs. 8.2 days, p = 0.015). No major complications occurred. During the mean follow-up of 17.9 months, the overall success rate was 90.5%, and there was no significant difference between 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The modified flap pyeloplasty could be considered a practical and effective treatment option with a high success rate for recurrent UPJO with a long proximal ureteral stricture, and the robotic procedures showed advantages of higher efficiency and faster recovery.

Low DAPK1 expression correlates with poor prognosis and sunitinib resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

We investigated the prognostic significance of Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 (DAPK1) and its role in sunitinib resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). DAPK1 mRNA levels were significantly lower in tumor tissues than normal kidney tissues in TCGA-KIRC dataset (n=428). Both overall survival and disease-free survival were significantly shorter in ccRCC patients with low DAPK1 expression than those with high DAPK1 expression. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that low DAPK1 expression correlated with poor prognosis in ccRCC patients. Multivariate analysis confirmed that DAPK1 expression was an independent prognostic indicator in ccRCC. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that low DAPK1 expression correlates with upregulation of pathways related to metastasis, drug resistance, hypoxia and invasiveness in ccRCC patients. Sunitinib-resistant ccRCC cells show significantly lower DAPK1 mRNA and protein levels than sunitinib-sensitive ccRCC cells. DAPK1 overexpression enhances apoptosis in sunitinib-resistant ccRCC cells via the ATF6-dependent ER stress pathway. Xenograft tumors derived from DAPK1-overxpressing ccRCC cells were significantly smaller than the controls in nude mice. Our finding demonstrates that low DAPK1 expression is an independent prognostic indicator that correlates with ccRCC progression and sunitinib resistance.

An early experience of the robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy without re-docking in a single position.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the execution of robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy without repositioning the patient. METHODS: The clinical data of 9 patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy between May 2017 and November 2018 were analyzed, proceeding in a single position, without repositioning the patient. This involved 5 men and 4 women, with an average age of 61.67 ± 10.37 years and an average body mass index (BMI) of 24.78 ± 3.84. We considered the duration of the intervention, the blood loss, the duration of the hospital stay, the duration of maintenance of the drainage and the follow-up on all patients, with or without complications and recurrence of the tumor. RESULTS: The intervention was completed in all 9 cases. The average duration of the intervention was 242.89 ± 13.37 minutes, the average blood loss was 166.67 ± 70.71 ml, the average hospitalization time was 2 ± 0.71 days, the average time drainage maintenance was 5.11 ± 1.05 days and the average follow-up times without complications and tumor recurrence were 12.56 ± 6.19 months. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy without repositioning the patient during the procedure simplifies the procedure and shortens the duration of the procedure. It is also a safe, effective and feasible minimally invasive treatment method. KEY WORDS: Nephroureterectomy, Robot-assisted laparoscopic, Tumor recurrence, Single position, Upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Activation of BDNF/TrkB pathway promotes prostate cancer progression via induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and anoikis resistance.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant diseases in male worldwide, yet, the molecular mechanisms involved in PCa progression are still poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the roles of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase B (BDNF/TrkB) pathway in PCa progression. It was demonstrated by immunohistochemical analysis that both BDNF and TrkB were overexpressed in PCa tissues and elevated TrkB expression was tightly related with lymph node metastasis and advanced stage of PCa. In vitro studies showed that stimulation with rhBDNF or overexpression of TrkB in PCa cells promoted cell migration, invasion, and anoikis resistance. Overexpression of TrkB also resulted in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like transformation in cell morphology, whereas RNA interference-mediated TrkB depletion caused reversion of EMT. Further investigation demonstrated that protein kinase B (AKT) was responsible for BDNF/TrkB signaling-induced pro-migratory and pro-invasive effects, EMT, and anoikis resistance. Finally, in vivo studies confirmed that enhanced TrkB expression facilitated tumor growth, whereas downregulation of TrkB suppressed tumor growth. Our findings illustrate that BDNF/TrkB pathway is crucial for PCa progression, which may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of advanced PCa.

Biological roles of filamin a in prostate cancer cells

ABSTRACT Objective This study aims to investigate the association of filamin A with the function and morphology of prostate cancer (PCa) cells, and explore the role of filamin A in the development of PCa, in order to analyze its significance in the evolvement of PCa. Materials and Methods A stably transfected cell line, in which filamin A expression was suppressed by RNA interference, was first established. Then, the effects of the suppression of filamin A gene expression on the biological characteristics of human PCa LNCaP cells were observed through cell morphology, in vitro cell growth curve, soft agar cloning assay, and scratch test. Results A cell line model with a low expression of filamin A was successfully constructed on the basis of LNCaP cells. The morphology of cells transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A was the following: Cells were loosely arranged, had less connection with each other, had fewer tentacles, and presented a fibrous look. The growth rate of LNCap cells was faster than cells transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A (P <0.05). The clones of LNCap cells in the soft agar cloning assay was significantly fewer than that of cells stably transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A (P <0.05). Cells stably transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A presented with a stronger healing and migration ability compared to LNCap cells (healing rate was 32.2% and 12.1%, respectively; P <0.05). Conclusion The expression of the filamin A gene inhibited the malignant development of LNCap cells. Therefore, the filamin A gene may be a tumor suppressor gene.

Biological roles of filamin a in prostate cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the association of filamin A with the function and morphology of prostate cancer (PCa) cells, and explore the role of filamin A in the development of PCa, in order to analyze its significance in the evolvement of PCa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A stably transfected cell line, in which filamin A expression was suppressed by RNA interference, was first established. Then, the effects of the suppression of filamin A gene expression on the biological characteristics of human PCa LNCaP cells were observed through cell morphology, in vitro cell growth curve, soft agar cloning assay, and scratch test. RESULTS: A cell line model with a low expression of filamin A was successfully constructed on the basis of LNCaP cells. The morphology of cells transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A was the following: Cells were loosely arranged, had less connection with each other, had fewer tentacles, and presented a fibrous look. The growth rate of LNCap cells was faster than cells transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A (P<0.05). The clones of LNCap cells in the soft agar cloning assay was significantly fewer than that of cells stably transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A (P<0.05). Cells stably transfected with plasmid pSilencer-filamin A presented with a stronger healing and migration ability compared to LNCap cells (healing rate was 32.2% and 12.1%, respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of the filamin A gene inhibited the malignant development of LNCap cells. Therefore, the filamin A gene may be a tumor suppressor gene.